Heater



May 19, 1964 A. E. KRAUSZ HEATER Filed Aug. 3, 1961 I J 2 yez%r- 1h M, 2

Kim/02 m United States Patent 3,133,534 HEATER Aiian E. Krausz, Centralia, 111., assignor to The Lear Siegler Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 129,181 2 Claims. (Cl. 126-92) This invention relates to space heaters and, in particular, to a device adapted to visibly emphasize the combustion of fuel within such a heater.

It has been found that the appearance of a heating unit during its operation can exert a psychological influence on those present and, under proper circumstances, create an impression of warmth which increases the overall effectiveness of the unit. For example, when the observer is permitted to witness the actual combustion of fuel within the heater, as was the case with the old-fashioned wood stove, the sensation of heat communicated to the mind by the actual heat radiated by the heater is emphasized by the impression of heat resulting from the visual observance of the heat source.

It is not practical to provide for a direct observance of combustion within a space heater such as is commonly in use today, since such heaters normally burn an organic gaseous fuel which, upon combustion, provides a blue rather than an orange, yellow or red flame. The observance of a blue flame does not convey an impression of warmth, and frequently conveys instead the impression of coolness.

Various substiutes for this actual observance of combustion have been devised, and have consisted essentially of panels in the forward wall of the heater housing which are painted a red or orange intended to simulate the color of combustion. However, these devices are not realistic for several reasons. In the first place, a flame-colored panel serves as a heat stimulus to the mind even when the heater is not operating, thus creating an undesirable eifect during warmer seasons when an impression of heat is objectionable. Furthermore, the fact that there is no change in the appearance of the panel between its operating and non-operating conditions eventually results in a decrease, if not a total absence, of the stimulus.

Also, the process of combustion normally provides a wavering or flickering glow as opposed to a steady glow, partially because of ascending and descending air currents within the combustion chamber and their effects on the passage of light waves. Accordingly, a painted panel which of necessity lacks the ability to provide such movement, lacks realism as well.

. 'The principal object of the present invention is to provide a device which will visibly emphasize in a realistic manner the combustion action within a space heater.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partially broken-away front view of a space heater showing various of the features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a portion of the heater shown in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2.

Very generally, the illustrated embodiment of the present invention comprises a space heater 11 which includes a heating means 13 projecting into a combustion chamber 15 of a heat exchanger 17. A portion of a wall of the heat exchanger is formed of a translucent material 19, and a metallic element 21 is disposed behind the translucent wall portion and above the heating means 13 in a position wherein it will be heated when the space heater is operating. The element 21 is adapted to glow-red when heated, thus providing a source of radiation which is difiused by 3,133,534 Patented May, 19, 1964 the translucent material 19, so as to thereby provide a glowing wall for the heat exchanger and visibly emphasize the heat and combustion therein.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, the space heater 11 comprises generally a housing 23 within which is disposed the heating means 13, combustion chamber 15, and heat exchanger 17. The heating means 13, shown in the form of a gaseous-fuel burner element 25, is disposed adjacent the bottom of the housing 23 and is of standard design, having a grate 27 and a fuel conduit 29 leading thereto.

The combustion chamber 15 overlies the burner element 25 and is defined by the walls of the heat exchanger 17 which extend outwardly and upwardly from the sides of the burner 25 into a box-like shape, with the grate 27 forming a portion of the lower wall of the heat exchanger. In accordance with well-known practice, the heat exchanger is formed of a cast metal such as iron or aluminum.

The metallic element 21 is located within the combustion chamber 15 above the burner element 25 and spaced slightly therefrom so that it will be disposed in the uppermost portion of the burner flame when the space heater is operating. The element 21 is in the shape of a wire or rod 31 and is formed of a material which will glow-red when heated by the burner flame and which is also capable of withstanding the corrosive action of the combustion gases. However, an element 21 of various forms would operate satisfactorily. A metal alloy of nickel-chromium, commonly referred to as Nichrome, has been found to be highly satisfactory in this application.

The wire 31 is suspended within the combustion cham ber 15 a manner which will permit its expansion and contraction as it is heated and cooled during the operation of the heater. The means by which the wire is suspended comprises generally a pair of spaced lugs 33 and 35 which project inwardly toward one another from opposite ends of the combustion chamber, and a coil spring 36 which provides a flexible connection between one end of the wire and its adjacent lug 35, as hereinafter described.

More specifically, the lug 33 is located on the inner surface of the right end wall (FIG. 1) of the heat exchanger and projects inwardly therefrom to provide a point of attachment for one end of the wire. An opening 34 is provided in the lug through which the wire may be inserted and subsequently bent or twisted to secure it in place.

The lug 35 is disposed adjacent the left end of the heater, but is located outside of the combustion chamber 15 so that the spring 36, which is atached to the lug 35, will not be subjected to the intense heat within the chamher and possibly be weakened thereby. The lug 35 is accordingly located on the inner surface of the left end wall of the housing 23 and projects inwardly therefrom to provide a point of attachment for the other end of the wire. The lug 35 also includes an opening 34 by means of which the spring 36 may be secured thereto.

In order that the wire 31 may extend through the left end wall of the heat exchanger 17 and thereby permit its attachment to both lugs 33 and 35, an opening 38 is provided in the heat exchanger wall and is of a slightly greater diameter than that of the wire so that the wire will not bind within the opening when it is heated and expands diametrically. The wire extends through the opening 38 and is connected to the spring 36 by being looped or bent in a conventional manner to form a hook.

The wire 31 is therefore suspended within the combustion chamber in a manner which will permit its expansion and contraction, while the spring 36, which forms a portion of the means, remains relatively cool and is not subjected to the heat of the chamber.

When the heater is operating, the wire 31 will be heated and, after a short time, will begin to glow. In order that there may be visual access to the wire at this time, an elongated rectangular aperture 37 is provided in the forward wall 39 of the heat exchanger in substantially horizontal alignment with the wire 31. A groove 41 is provided in the outer surface of the forward wall 39 adjacent the rim of the aperture 37 to accommodate the translucent material 19, hereinafter described.

The function of the translucent material 19 is to disperse the light radiated from the wire 31 as it passes through the aperture 37 so as to provide a glowing wall-section which will emphasize the combustion within the heater. In the illustrated embodiment, the material 19 comprises a plurality of plates 43 of translucent glass having a fiat rearward surface 45 and a forward surface 47 provided with a plurality of hexagonal pyramids 49 projecting outwardly a short distance. The plates 43 are supported in the grooves 41 of the forward wall 39 and held in place therein by a pair of elongated strips 51, one of which is disposed along the upper edge of the plates and the other of which is disposed along the lower edge. The strips 51 overlap the upper and lower edges of the plates slightly and are held in place by suitable fasteners 53. In order that the translucent material 19 may be seen clearly, the forward panel of the housing 23 is provided with an aperture 55 which is substantially in alignment with the aperture 37 of the heat exchanger. A frame 57 surrounds the aperture 55 to provide an attractive appearance, and also to protect the glass plates 43 from accidental breakage.

When the heater is operating, the wire 31 gives off a glowing light which, upon passing through the plates 43, is diffused so as to give the plates a glowing color as well. Since the plates are glass, the impression is conveyed to the observer that he is witnessing the glow of combustion within the heat exchanger and, even though the actual flame of the burner is blue, the heater will convey a visual impression of warmth and heat.

Also, it is important to note that when the heater is operating, hot gases are continually rising and passing intermediate the glass plates 43 and the wire 31, as shown in FIGURE 3. These gases will cause a wavering or varying distortion of the light radiated by the wire and because of the resemblance to a similar phenomena witnessed in the direct observance of combustion, will further add to the realism of the device.

The device of the present invention possesses the further advantage of operating only when there is combustion within the heater, and in fact, begins to glow weakly, and then more strongly, as the wire and, hence, the heater become warmer. The visual appearance of the device is therefore closely allied to the operation of the heater itself, and is quite realistic from that standpoint as well.

While shown and described with reference to one embodiment, it is clear that various changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A space heater comprising an elongated horizontally disposed burner element operable to provide a body of flame on its upper surface over substantially its entire length, an elongated metallic wire disposed directly above said burner in generally parallel relation to the longitudinal axis thereof and adapted to glow when heated, said wire being of a greater length than the length of the upper surface of said burner and being disposed sufficiently close to said burner so as to be in contact with the burner flame and to be enveloped thereby, and a heat exchanger surrounding said burner and wire, at least a portion of one wall of said heat exchanger being translucent, said translucent wall portion being so disposed and spaced at such a distance from said wire as to permit gases to pass between said wire and said translucent wall and distort the rays of light radiating from said wire through said translucent panel.

2. A space heater comprising a housing, an elongated horizontally disposed burner element within said housing operable to provide a body of flame on its upper surface over substantially its entire length, an elongated metallic Wire disposed directly above said burner in generally parallel relation to the longitudinal axis thereof and adapted to glow when heated, said wire being of a greater length than the length of the upper surface of said burner and being disposed sufficiently close to said burner so as to be in contact with the burner flame and to be enveloped thereby, and a heat exchanger within said housing in surrounding relation to said burner and wire, at least a portion of one wall of said heat exchanger being translucent, said translucent wall portion being so disposed and spaced at such a distance from said wire as to permit gases to pass between said wire and said translucent wall and cause a flickering of the rays of light radiating from said wire through said translucent panel, at least one end of said elongated metallic wire extending through an opening provided in one wall of said heat exchanger and being connected to said housing by a tension spring disposed intermediate said heat exchanger wall and a Wall of said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,266,745 Wundrack May 21, 1918 1,647,995 Humphrey Nov. 8, 1927 1,650,835 Humphrey Nov. 29, 1927 2,122,986 Mason July 5, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 138,806 Switzerland June 2, 1930 

1. A SPACE HEATER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED BURNER ELEMENT OPERABLE TO PROVIDE A BODY OF FLAME ON ITS UPPER SURFACE OVER SUBSTANTIALLY ITS ENTIRE LENGTH, AN ELONGATED METALLIC WIRE DISPOSED DIRECTLY ABOVE SAID BURNER IN GENERALLY PARALLEL RELATION TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS THEREOF AND ADAPTED TO GLOW WHEN HEATED, SAID WIRE BEING OF A GREATER LENGTH THAN THE LENGTH OF THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID BURNER AND BEING DISPOSED SUFFICIENTLY CLOSE TO SAID BURNER SO AS TO BE IN CONTACT WITH THE BURNER FLAME AND TO BE ENVELOPED THEREBY, AND A HEAT EXCHANGER SURROUNDING SAID BURNER AND WIRE, AT LEAST A PORTION OF ONE WALL OF SAID HEAT EXCHANGER BEING TRANSLUCENT, SAID TRANSLUCENT WALL PORTION BEING SO DISPOSED AND SPACED AT SUCH A DISTANCE FROM SAID WIRE AS TO PERMIT GASES TO PASS BETWEEN SAID WIRE AND SAID TRANSLUCENT WALL AND DISTORT THE RAYS OF LIGHT RADIATING FROM SAID WIRE THROUGH SAID TRANSLUCENT PANEL. 